Why More Cruiser Riders Are Transitioning To Touring Motorcycles

Motorcycles have become more advanced and charming in recent years. Riders often have a hard time choosing the motorcycles best suited for them. Every type of motorcycle has unique features that make them unique from other models. This article offers a detailed guide on the pros and cons of cruisers and tourers.

When motorcycle riders plan a long tour, they usually have to choose between a cruiser or a touring motorcycle. This may be a difficult choice since cruisers and touring motorcycles can include various types and come in several styles.

Touring motorcycles are more comfortable, but cruisers are faster, lightweight, and versatile. However, there has been an increasing demand for touring motorcycles over cruisers on the market. Listed below are reasons why touring motorcycles have become more popular than cruisers.

Comfort is a top priority among motorcycle tourists. To ensure a better touring experience, touring motorcycles have larger frames. A larger frame means the rider's weight is more evenly distributed in more places. Also, the seating position of touring motorcycles ensures riders are less tired and reduce pain in the back, neck, shoulders, and joints.

Another useful feature of touring motorcycles is that they can carry bigger saddles. They can also fit larger seats with more room and support for the riders and passengers. On the other hand, taking a passenger on a cruiser can be risky since not all cruisers can carry extra weight. If you carry a passenger on a long tour atop a cruiser, this will reduce efficiency or wear down its parts.

Touring motorcycles are also equipped with wider floorboards and forward controls. The wider floorboards give riders more room to adjust their feet while seated. Meanwhile, foot pegs on cruisers provide minimum room for riders to rest their feet.

Forward controls on touring motorcycles allow riders to straighten and stretch their legs. Meanwhile, cruisers have mid controls, which only allow short riders to stretch their legs. Average and taller riders cannot sit or place their feet comfortably, resulting in an awkward position and tense muscles.

In the modern era, most riders want motorcycles with the latest technology, including radios, Bluetooth connectivity, speaker systems, GPS, and navigation. Both touring motorcycles and cruisers can be fitted with several systems, but cruisers have fewer features than touring motorcycles.

Touring motorcycles with advanced features are often in high demand. The Harley Davidson Street Glide is a good example of a touring motorcycle with multiple technological features, including an infotainment system with a touch screen, advanced traction control, Android Auto, Apple Carplay, stereo speakers, and GPS.

Cruisers can only carry small saddlebags with limited storage space. If you plan to go on a cross-country tour with your cruiser, you cannot take a lot of luggage with you.

Touring motorcycles are suited for long tours since their long frames can carry multiple large saddlebags. Furthermore, various touring motorcycles now have detachable saddlebags that offer additional storage space.

Cruisers are often used for short-distance travel and can handle almost any road condition. Cruisers are built with simple designs and have fewer features than touring motorcycles. Listed below are the pros and cons of cruisers:

• Cruisers are smaller in size and have fewer features. The less pre-installed equipment results in a more affordable price.
• Cruisers are easy to maintain within a specific budget.
• Cruisers being lightweight results in less battery power and fuel consumption.
• Cruisers are more stylish and customizable than any other motorcycle.
• Cruisers are smaller, lightweight, and have low seats, making them beginner-friendly.

• Cruisers are best suited for short distances and daily commutes carrying one rider. Going on long tours with a passenger can put too much stress on cruisers.
• Cruisers are less comfortable due to their small frames and uncomfortable riding positions, resulting in fatigue and bodily pain after a few hours of riding.
• Cruisers have smaller and lighter engines that produce less horsepower, torque, speed, and performance.
• Cruisers with two-cylinder engines may suffer from excess vibrations.
• Cruisers are more lightweight, have a lighter engine, and have a low height with low ground clearance.

Touring motorcycles have large frames, powerful engines, and can handle traveling hundreds of miles. They offer more comfortable seating positions, have more fuel capacity, and can carry more luggage. Here are the pros and cons of touring motorcycles.

• Touring motorcycles are comfortable on long trips due to their large seats and reliable handling.
• Touring motorcycles have large seats that help reduce fatigue and pain in the neck, back, etc.
• Touring motorcycles can carry large saddlebags, ensuring higher maximum carrying and storage capacities.
• Touring motorcycles have larger fuel tanks, ensuring you can travel for several hours and cover more distance before refueling.
• Touring motorcycles have the latest technological features that offer entertainment and assist with navigation.

• Touring motorcycles have bigger fuel tanks but have poor fuel efficiency and suffer from high fuel consumption.
• Touring motorcycles do not have smooth maneuverability; therefore, touring motorcycles are not a good option for commutes or city travel.
• Touring motorcycles being heavyweight vehicles makes them not beginner-friendly. They are hard to handle due to their extra weight and larger sizes.

Cruisers and touring motorcycles have their positives and negatives. Both have features that make them better suited for different situations. Cruisers are best suited for daily commutes and city travel. Meanwhile, touring motorcycles can handle going on highway tours and long trips.

Many cruiser riders are transitioning to touring motorcycles because of their comfort, powerful engines, and heavy load capacities. Touring motorcycles are also installed with advanced technological features that can make your trips into more charming riding experiences.